A Christian perspective on the Bible, Israel, Christian Zionism, and the myth of holy war

The article discusses the resurgence of biblical language in political and religious discourse surrounding Israel's military campaign in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attacks. Israeli leaders and commentators have invoked narratives of Amalek and the Book of Joshua, framing the conflict with themes of divine judgment and conquest. These narratives, long embedded in Zionist thought and Israeli identity, have moved from the margins to the center of public discourse since October 7, sacralizing violence in both Jewish and Christian contexts. The article highlights how American Christian Zionism also interprets modern Israel through biblical conquest narratives, often viewing Hamas as a modern Amalek. It raises the central theological question for Christians: "whether the paradigm of Joshua's conquest should continue to function as a model for political action," especially in light of Jesus Christ's teachings and the ethical discomfort these texts have historically generated.